Note: These are mostly non-chlorinated lakes found in nature! Please check water quality conditions on the websites before planning your outing. On some occasions, no swimming is allowed at the lakes due to blue-green algae advisories.

Swimming Lakes That Are an Easy Day Trip from San Francisco

1. Lake Anza at Tilden Regional Park – Berkeley

​Distance: 30 minutes
Cost: Adults $4, Children $2
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: $5 per car

With a sandy beach area, shallow water for waddling, and lifeguards during the summer, it's a great spot to set up lawn chairs and an umbrella on a warm day. There are plenty of picnic areas, hiking trails nearby, and scenic surroundings to take in all that nature.

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Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area feels remote, but has a snack bar! Photo by 'Images by John 'K' via Flickr 2.0

2. Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area – Pleasanton

​Distance: 50-60 minutes
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes (and changing rooms)
Parking: $6

Shadow Cliffs has a large swim lagoon and sandy beach with a designated shallow area for children. The park has plenty of picnic spots, playgrounds, and a water slide, catering to families with kids of all ages. There is also a small refreshment stand, in case you don't feel like packing snacks. Pets and glass containers are not allowed on the sand.

3. Cull Canyon – Castro Valley

​Distance: 40-50 minutes
Cost: Adults $4, Children $2
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Free

The popular man-made swimming hole created from a reservoir is chlorinated to keep the water clean! Featuring a swimming lagoon with a sandy beach, and shallow water areas that are perfect for young children. Lifeguards on duty during the summer months, giving parents peace of mind. Note that the lagoon gets busy during school break, and guests can be turned away if they reach capacity. 

4. The Inkwells at Stinson Beach – Marin County

Distance: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Road-side

The natural tidal pools along the shoreline of Stinson Beach are a cool adventure for older kids and teens. It's pretty easy to find, and parking is easy on Sir Francis Drake Blvd. The three pools vary in deepness so kids can jump or waddle depending on their swimming skills. 

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Hike, BBQ, and swim at Lake Temescal in Oakland, California. Photo by majunznk via Flickr 2.0

5. Lake Temescal – Oakland

Distance: 30 minutes
Cost: Adults $3, Children $2, Dogs $2
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: $5

An East Bay favorite, Lake Temescal in Oakland has a sandy beach with lifeguards during peak season, shallow water areas, and a designated swimming zone. The park also has picnic tables, barbecue pits, and easy hiking trails around the lake, making it a good pick for families with young children.

6. Junction Park – Boulder Creek

Distance: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Free

A favorite swimming hole in the summer months, Junction Park is great for small kids and families. The sandy beach along the river is perfect for sandcastles, there's shallow water for splashing, and plenty of grassy areas for picnics. Older kids can even venture to the middle of the river where it's deeper and check out the boulders. 

7. Memorial Park – Loma Mar

Distance: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: $5

Shaded by redwood trees, this South Bay park is a popular pick to car-camp, take a hike, and best of all, go banana-slug watching. Pescadero Creek runs through the park, so kids can splash around, see some fish, and be in nature. Pescadero is also only 20 minutes away when lunchtime comes around and ice cream is in order. Do tell kids to keep those peepers peeled for Poison Oak, which is common to the area.

Swimming Lakes That Are Worth a Weekend Trip from San Francisco

8. Garden of Eden – Santa Cruz Mountains

​Distance: 1.5- 2 hours
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Roadside

For families with older adventurous kids, Garden of Eden is one of the most beautiful secret gems, and kids will love discovering the secret forest playground. The lake offers natural pools with clear, cool water, and waterfalls in a secluded forest setting. Keep in mind that this location can be more suitable for older children and adults due to its rugged terrain.

9. Golden Quartz – Nevada City

​Distance: 3 hours
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes (nearby)
Parking: Yes

This little-known swimming hole in Nevada City is a great stop on a weekend trip to Tahoe. The small sandy beach and picnic area are perfect for a day outdoors. The water current isn’t very strong, making it fun for kids to splash around. The nearby picnic area has bathrooms, too.